Certainly, The Price is Right has always maintained a focus on the traditional announcer role. No other show has been on the air as long as Price, and its longevity brings with it certain challenges. How does a show with an aging audience capture new fans, while still keeping the game true to its roots?
"I think the teachings of Mark Goodson still apply: The contestants are the stars and the focus should be on their game play," says Randy West. "A good host is honestly empathetic and supportive of his participants, makes his contestants shine, and efficiently draws out each player's one or two relatable attributes that make us care about him or her, and help us identify with the way they play the game."
"The overall creation of an atmosphere of fun can be enhanced by an illusion of spontaneity - little touches of unpredictable mayhem - but rarely at the expense of the consistently presenting the comfortable, familiar fare that viewers expect from their trusted friend."
Any game show fan will tell you that watching regular, everyday people playing a solid game for the chance to win prizes and cash is the foundation of the genre. Frills and added extras are just that – additions that should never take away from the basics of the game or the excitement of the contestants playing it. How then, does the announcer fit into things?
West continues, "While Mr. Goodson never seemed to pay much attention to his announcers' performances - perhaps because he had the best in the business - the job requires a great deal more than most realize: excellent reading skills that can smoothly present page after page of copy that is sometimes written more like a Sears catalogue than natural prose, a polished voice that varies in range and energy while always remaining in the comfort zone without over modulating emphasis, the ability to instinctively support the host in unscripted moments, and a level of flair, style and humor that adds to the mix while never overshadowing or drawing undue attention to the announcer."
Most of us are hoping that this "new direction" envisioned by Mike Richards will end up working well. No matter what our reservations are about the future of the show, The Price is Right is a game show institution. While production forges ahead with their plans, fans are put in limbo with nothing much else to do but speculate.
Randy West is of course a game show announcer himself, but he's also a big fan of game shows in general and The Price is Right in particular. I think he speaks for all of us when he says:
"Yes, after learning the business from Johnny Olson and announcing a few dozen episodes during the Barker era, I've put a lot of thought into what makes for a great announcer for The Price is Right. As to the challenges of keeping the show fresh, relevant, exciting and holding mass appeal in an ever-changing world, I wish Mike Richards and his team every success. Millions of fans like myself want to see the show continue to be an enjoyable part of our daily lives for a long, long time to come!"
Visit Randy West online at TVRandyWest.com, and hear him nightly on GSN’s Newlywed Game, and be sure to pick up a copy of his engaging book, Johnny Olson: A Voice in Time.
